Testing using a non-engine based test system and exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust

ABSTRACT

A method for testing one or more test components comprising: providing a non-engine based test system comprising a combustor in fluid communication with the one or more test components; supplying air and fuel to the combustor at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and under feed conditions effective to produce a feedstream flowpath, wherein the fuel comprises one or more alternative fuel which is gaseous at ambient conditions comprising atmospheric pressure and a temperature of about 20° C. or higher, the supplying air and fuel comprising feeding the one or more alternative fuel to a pressure regulator to produce one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel and feeding the one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel to the combustor; combusting at least a portion of fuel in the feedstream flowpath under combustion conditions effective to produce an exhaust product comprising one or more alternative fuel exhaust; and, exposing the one or more test components to the exhaust product under test conditions effective to produce one or more treated components. And, a test system comprising a non-engine based combustor in fluid communication with a fuel supplier, an air supplier, and a test component, the fuel supplier comprising one or more pressurized fuel container in fluid communication with one or more pressure regulator in fluid communication with the combustor.

PRIORITY DATA

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/213,890, filed Aug. 6, 2002, published May 1, 2003 as US 2003-0079520 A1 (pending), incorporated herein by reference.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application also is related to application Ser. No. 10/457,916, published Jan. 15, 2004 as US 2004-0007056 A1 (pending); application Ser. No. 10/439,146, published Feb. 12, 2004 as US 2004-0025580 A1 (pending); application Ser. No. 10/458,023, published Feb. 12, 2004 as US 2004-0028588 A1 (pending); and, application Ser. No. 10/847,034, filed May 17, 2004 (pending).

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The present application relates to a method and apparatus for producing simulated alternative fuel exhaust using a non-engine based test system.

BACKGROUND

Exhaust components, such as catalytic converters, are designed to treat exhaust produced when an internal combustion engine burns one or more specific fuel—typically gasoline or diesel fuel. Where the exhaust component will treat exhaust from the combustion of alternative fuel(s), the simulated exhaust must be produced by burning the alternative fuel(s). In order to produce a simulated alternative fuel exhaust using a bench engine, the bench engine generally must be modified to burn the alternative fuel.

Apparatus and methods are needed to accurately and cost effectively produce simulated alternative fuel exhaust.

SUMMARY

The present application provides a method for testing one or more test components. The method comprises: providing a non-engine based test system comprising a combustor in fluid communication with the one or more test components and supplying air and fuel to the combustor at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and under feed conditions effective to produce a feedstream flowpath. The fuel comprises one or more alternative fuel which is gaseous at ambient conditions comprising atmospheric pressure and a temperature of about 20° C. or higher. Supplying air and fuel comprises feeding the one or more alternative fuel to a pressure regulator to produce one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel and feeding the one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel to the combustor. The method comprises combusting at least a portion of fuel in the feedstream flowpath under combustion conditions effective to produce an exhaust product comprising one or more alternative fuel exhaust, and exposing the one or more test components to the exhaust product under test conditions effective to produce one or more treated components.

The application also provides a test system comprising a non-engine combustor in fluid communication with a fuel supplier, an air supplier, and a test component, the fuel supplier comprising one or more pressurized fuel container in fluid communication with one or more pressure regulator in fluid communication with the combustor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the FOCAS® rig, a preferred non-engine based exhaust component rapid aging system (NEBECRAS) for use herein, described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030079520, published May 1, 2003, incorporated herein by reference, which has been modified to include more than one fuel supplier.

FIG. 2 is a box diagram of a system for performing hot vibration testing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Exhaust aftertreatment devices, such as catalytic converters, perform optimally when treating exhaust produced burning specific fuel(s). Bench engines typically burn gasoline or diesel fuel to produce simulated exhaust for that specific fuel. In order to burn a different fuel, the bench engine may need to be modified, for example, to supply an adapter for feeding a gaseous fuel. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,713,336; 5,592,924; or 6,382,182, incorporated herein by reference. Other features of a bench engine that may require modification in order to burn alternative fuel(s) include but are not necessarily limited to spark timing, compression ratio, intake throttle, cooling, and engine structure itself.

The use of a bench engine to burn one or more fuel(s) other than its target fuel may cause autoignition, coking and/or cracking prior to injection, poor atomization, vaporization, and/or mixing of the fuel. For example, fuels with low viscosities may not provide sufficient lubrication for the precision fit of fuel injection pumps or injector plungers, resulting in leakage or increased wear. Fuel atomization also is affected by fuel viscosity.

The present application provides a non-engine based exhaust component rapid aging system (NEBECRAS) adapted to produce exhaust using one or more alternative fuels.

Non-engine Based Exhaust Component Rapid Aging System

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030079520 describes a preferred NEBECRAS (the FOCAS® rig). The FOCAS® rig comprises: (1) an air supply system to provide air to the burner, (2) a fuel system to provide fuel to the burner, (3) a burner system to combust the air and fuel mixture and to provide the proper exhaust gas constituents, (4) a heat exchanger to control the exhaust gas temperature, (5) (optionally) an oil injection system, and (6) a computerized control system. The foregoing components are illustrated in FIG. 1 and described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030079520 (incorporated herein by reference) and is not described further in detail. The FOCAS® rig uses an air atomized, orifice type injector, which can inject a variety of fuels. In a preferred embodiment, the NEBECRAS comprises more than one fuel container, with at least one fuel container comprising a pressure cylinder adapted to deliver a gaseous feed. The pressure container preferably communicates with the combustor via a pressure regulator and is suitable to deliver either gas or compressed gas to the combustor.

The FOCAS® rig was developed to evaluate the long term effects of individual variables on the long term performance of exhaust aftertreatment devices (i.e., a catalyst). The FOCAS® rig produces an exhaust product with a composition and temperature corresponding to that produced by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle burning the same fuel(s).

The burner system in the FOCAS® rig may be used to generate stoichiometric, rich, and lean hot gas conditions without substantial damage to the combustor. The burner system in the FOCAS® rig is effective to substantially stoichiometrically combust at least a portion of fuel in the feedstream flowpath without substantial damage to the combustor.

The combustor comprises a nozzle comprising a swirl plate which is effective even at a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio (AFR) of producing a feedstream flowpath comprising an air shroud effective to prevent flame from attaching to a nozzle supplying fuel and air to the combustor during combustion of fuel. The feedstream flowpath also preferably prevents flame from remaining in constant contact with an inner wall of the combustor during combustion of fuel.

Although the FOCAS® rig is a preferred NEBECRAS, any functional and effective non-engine based test system could be adapted for use in accordance with the principles described herein.

Substantially any test may be run using exhaust gas produced using alternative fuel(s) or a combination of alternative fuel(s) and liquid fuel(s). Examples of such tests include, but are not necessarily limited to aging, cold start simulation, drive cycle simulation, air-fuel ratio sweeps, light off tests, vibration tests, temperature profile tests, thermal stress tests, quench tests, shell deformation tests, and thermal cycle tests. The test conditions for the foregoing types of tests are described in more detail below. In order to perform such tests, the NEBECRAS generally is installed in place of a bench engine in a known test rig.

The NEBECRAS may be used to perform various tests on substantially any component. Preferred components are automotive components, preferably vehicle exhaust system components. A preferred component is a catalytic converter. Other such components include, but are not necessarily limited to EGR valves, EGR coolers, oxygen sensors, exhaust tubing, mufflers, turbochargers, and exhaust manifolds.

The FOCAS® rig is designed to burn gasoline (a liquid fuel) to produce exhaust gas. However, the FOCAS® rig also may be used to burn one or more alternative fuels, or a combination of alternative fuels, alone, or in combination with one or more liquid fuel(s) including, but not necessarily limited to gasoline and diesel fuel.

For purposes of the present application, the phrase “alternative fuels” refers to fuels which are gaseous at atmospheric pressure and at typical ambient temperatures. Atmospheric pressure is understood to be about 101.33 kilopascals and ambient temperature generally is from about 20° C. to about 25° C. “Alternative fuels” include, but are not necessarily limited to fuels in gaseous form and fuels in compressed gaseous form. Examples of alternative fuels include, but are not necessarily limited to natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, refinery gas, butane, natural gas liquid(s) (NGL), including but not necessarily limited to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquified natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and renewable fuels.

Refinery gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases (and often some sulfur compounds) produced in large-scale cracking and refining of petroleum, and typically comprises a mixture of several of hydrogen, methane, ethane, propane, butanes, pentanes, ethylene, propylene, butenes, pentenes, and small amounts of other components, such as butadiene.

A typical composition of CNG is: Typical Composition of CNG (% Volume) Methane 91.9 Ethane 3.7 Carbon Dioxide 2.0 Propane 1.2 i-Butane 0.4 i-Pentane 0.2 Nitrogen 0.2 n-Butane 0.1

Natural gas liquids (NGL's) include, but are not necessarily limited to natural gasoline, typically comprising ethane or pentane and heavier components of the natural gas stream. LPG's are a subcategory of NGL's that are produced along with and extracted from natural gas. LPG's also are produced from the refining of crude oil. Commercial LPG generally comprise propane, butane, and butane-propane mixtures.

The alternative fuel(s) may be combusted alone, or in combination with liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The NEBECRAS simulates the effects of additives and contaminants from liquid and/or alternative fuels on engine exhaust components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a standard FOCAS® rig (a preferred NEBECRAS) which has been modified to include an additional fuel container 400 for providing alternative fuel. The FOCAS® rig includes a standard automotive fuel pump 10 for pumping fuel through the fuel line 12 to an electronically actuated fuel control valve 14 then to the burner 60. A variety of burn ratios may be simulated, including but not necessarily limited to substantially continuous stoichiometric combustion of fuel, rich-burn (insufficient oxygen concentration to fully combust the fuel) and lean-burn (more oxygen than is required to fully combust the fuel). Under typical test conditions, the FOCAS® rig is programmable to produce exhaust that is passed directly to the exhaust component. If desired, the FOCAS® rig provides substantially continuous and effective stoichiometric combustion for 200 hours or more without the need for maintenance. In a preferred embodiment, the burner may run substantially continuously at stoichiometric for at least 1500 hours with minimal maintenance.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed system is adapted to meter and supply at least one alternative fuel(s). At least one supplemental fuel container 400, preferably a pressure cylinder 400 is provided in fluid communication with the fuel injector. In one embodiment, the pressure cylinder 400 is adapted to maintain the alternative fuel at greater than atmospheric pressure, such as at a pressure effective to maintain the material contained in the pressure cylinder as a fluid other than a gas, such as a liquid.

The operation of the NEBECRAS using an alternative fuel will be described with reference to compressed natural gas (CNG). However, the description also is applicable to other alternative fuels. Where the alternative fuel is CNG, the high pressure cylinder 400 is adapted to maintain the CNG at a pressure of from about 2400 to about 3600 psi. The CNG travels from the high pressure cylinder 400 through the high pressure fuel line 402 to a pressure regulator 404. Although it is preferred to provide a pressure regulator, a pressure regulator is not required to feed uncompressed gaseous material. Where the alternative fuel is compressed, as with CNG, the pressure is reduced, preferably to a reduced pressure of about 60-70 psi or less. The reduced pressure alternative fuel travels through a reduced pressure line 406 to a fuel line 12.

In one embodiment, the NEBECRAS bums only gaseous fuel. In this embodiment, the fuel pump 10 and liquid fuel supply is replaced by a high pressure cylinder 400, a high pressure fuel line 402, the pressure regulator 404, and a reduced pressure fuel line 406 which feeds directly to the fuel injector 16.

In another embodiment, the NEBECRAS is adapted to burn alternative fuel and/or liquid fuel. In this embodiment, the NEBECRAS includes the fuel pump 10 and the liquid fuel supply. The reduced pressure fuel line 406 fluidly communicates with the fuel line 12 downstream of the fuel pump 10. The fuel, whether reduced pressure alternative fuel, liquid fuel, or a combination thereof, flows through the fuel line 12 to the fuel injector 16.

The NEBECRAS data acquisition and control software controls test parameters simultaneously throughout operation, and is programmable to simulate any desired set of test conditions. In a preferred embodiment the data acquisition and control system is also capable of controlling a number of parameters, including controlling the lube oil injection and burner systems. The software program uses measured data to calculate total exhaust flow and burner air to fuel ratio, and to check conditions indicative of a system malfunction. The burner air to fuel ratio may be controlled as either open or closed loop, maintaining either specified fuel flow or specified air to fuel ratio. Air to fuel ratio control is achieved by varying the rate of fuel delivered to the burner (modifying the pulse duty cycle of a fixed frequency control waveform). Open loop control can be activated allowing the operator to enter a fixed fuel injector pulse duty cycle. Closed loop control can be activated in which the actual burner air to fuel ratio is measured and compared to the measured value of the air to fuel setpoint and then adjusting the fuel injector duty cycle to correct for the measured error. The front panel of the program is used to allow the user to input a preferred test cycle, and to run the test using a single screen.

The FOCAS® rig may be deactivated, the system may be cooled to ambient conditions in a matter of minutes, and then immediately after cooling (if desired), the system can be used to perform additional testing. The FOCAS® rig offers improved repeatability and reduced cool down time. The FOCAS® rig also offers relatively easy maintenance compared to internal combustion engines, which require periodic maintenance (oil changes, tune-ups) and time consuming repairs. The FOCAS® rig is relatively simple (with less moving parts and friction areas) and can operate with improved fuel economy when operated lean. These advantages make it highly desirable as a research and development tool.

Accelerated Aging Tests-“Rat-A Cycle Conditions”

The method and apparatus herein is useful for accelerated aging using one or more alternative fuel(s). Thermal aging of a catalytic converter can be efficiently accelerated because the rate at which thermal deactivation of a catalytic converter occurs can be increased by operating at higher catalyst temperature. “Accelerated aging conditions” generally involve combinations of elevated catalyst inlet temperatures, chemical reaction-induced thermal excursions (simulating misfire events), and average air/fuel ratio's (AFR's) effective to accelerate aging of a test component. The “RAT-A cycle” refers to the combination of conditions in the General Motors “Rapid Aging Test Cycle.” One hundred hours of aging on the GM RAT-A cycle is generally understood to demonstrate a level of durability.

The RAT-A cycle is characterized mainly by steady-state, stoichiometric operation with short thermal excursions. The thermal excursions are created by operating rich, to generate about 3 percent carbon monoxide (CO), while injecting secondary air (about 3 percent oxygen, O₂) in front of the catalyst. The excess reductants and oxidants react in the catalyst, releasing the chemical energy in the form of heat. The catalyst inlet temperature and exhaust gas flow rates are also used to specify the test cycle setup. The flow is specified in standard cubic feet per minute (scfm), typically 75 scfm. C. Webb and B. Bykowski, “Development of a Methodology to Separate Thermal from Oil Aging of a Catalyst Using a Gasoline-Fueled Burner System” SAE 2003-01-0663, incorporated herein by reference.

On the engine, adjusting engine speed sets up the flow specification. The gas temperature at the inlet to the catalyst is achieved by adjusting engine load (throttle position) during the steady-state, stoichiometric portion of the cycle. The thermal excursion is created by adjusting engine operating AFR during the rich portion of the cycle, and adjusting air injection to achieve the 3 percent CO and O₂ specification. The table (below) provides the setup conditions for the cycle. It should be noted that the catalyst inlet temperature is specified during the stoichiometric portion of the cycle, but that the exhaust gas concentrations to create the exotherm (and not catalyst inlet temperature) are specified during the thermal excursion portion of the cycle. The two specifications create a thermal profile within the catalyst. Aging Cycle Specifications: Mode Parameter Mode Length, No. Description Specification sec 1 Closed-loop, Inlet 40 Stoichiometric Temperature = 800° C. 2 Open-loop, Fuel rich 3% CO to catalyst 6 3 Open-loop, Fuel Rich 3% CO, 3% O₂ to 10 with Air Injection catalyst 4 Closed-loop, Stoichiometric out of 4 Stoichiometric with engine, continue air Air Injection injection Drive Cycle Simulation Tests “FTP-↓Conditions”

The method and apparatus also is useful to perform drive cycle tests using one or more alternative fuels. During drive cycle conditions, all of the following conditions are varied to simulate actual driving: exhaust flowrate, exhaust gas temperature, and exhaust gas stoichiometry. FTP-75 conditions include:

-   -   1) varying the exhaust flowrate, preferably in the range of from         0 to about 200 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm), to         simulate the exhaust flowrates of the test vehicle throughout         the FTP;     -   2) varying the exhaust gas temperature, preferably in the range         of from about 20 to about 900° C., to simulate the exhaust gas         temperatures at the catalyst inlet throughout the FTP; and,     -   3) varying the exhaust gas stoichiometry, preferably in the         range of from about 10 to about 40 AFR, more preferably from         about 10 to about 20 AFR, to simulate the exhaust gas         stoichiometry of the vehicle throughout the FTP.         The system exhaust gas mixture ideally contains similar         concentrations of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of         nitrogen as seen in the vehicle exhaust at any time during the         FTP test.

Substantially any component may be tested using the method and apparatus of the present application. Preferred components are automotive components, preferably vehicle exhaust system components. A preferred component is a catalytic converter. Other suitable components include, but are not necessarily limited to EGR valves, EGR coolers, oxygen sensors, exhaust tubing, mufflers, turbochargers, and exhaust manifolds.

The non-engine based test system, preferably a FOCAS® system, may be deactivated, the system may be cooled to ambient conditions in a matter of minutes, and then immediately after cooling, the system can be used to perform additional testing.

Simulated Cold-Start

The system also is useful to perform simulated cold-start using alternative fuel(s). To perform the simulated cold-start, the test component preferably is a catalytic converter, and the catalyst is at a temperature sufficiently low to simulate cold start. Suitable temperatures are 100° C. or less. Preferably, the simulation either is begun with the catalyst at a bed temperature of about 70° C. or less, preferably less than 70° C., or is cooled to such a temperature using any suitable cooling arrangement known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is cooled using an air blower. In order to efficiently cool the catalyst using an air blower, the air blower is set at an initial flow rate effective to cool the catalyst to the desired temperature within a reasonable period of time. Preferably, the air blower is set at an initial flow rate of 40 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) or more, more preferably 50 scfm. The air flow is directed onto the catalyst until the desired temperature is reached.

With the burner off and the blower on, raw oil is injected from about 2 to about 15 seconds, preferably about 4 seconds. The burner is then lit, and preferably programmed into a rich warm-up mode. A rich warm-up mode for most engine types is an air:fuel ratio (AFR) of from about 9:1 to about 14:1, preferably about 13.75:1. Thereafter, oil injection is continued for a period of time effective to simulate the flow of lubricating oil to the catalytic converter upon cold start of the given engine type, preferably about 20 seconds or more, more preferably about 22 seconds. Thereafter, oil injection is halted and the rich warm-up mode is continued for a period of time effective to prevent excess build-up of unburned oil on the face of the catalyst, preferably for about 20 seconds or more, more preferably for about 60 seconds. The targeted oil injection rate during the cold start simulation is from about 10 to about 40 grams/hour, preferably from about 28 to about 30 grams/hour. The cycle preferably is repeated a sufficient number of times to simulate the effect of cold start aging. In a preferred embodiment, the number of cycles is from about 1 to about 60,000, preferably from about 35,000 to about 40,000.

If the catalyst is in a cool state (preferably 70° C. or less), then it is not necessary to cool the catalyst. However, if the catalyst is at a higher temperature, the catalyst is cooled before initiating cold start simulation. In order to accomplish this cooling, the air blower suitably is set at an initial flow rate of 40 scfm or more, preferably 50 scfm, until the catalyst is cooled to about 70° C. or less. Once the catalyst is at the desired initial temperature, preferably about 70° C. or less, oil is injected into the blowing air for several seconds. The oil injection system control can be programmed into the computer. The system also can be programmed to inject more or less oil, depending upon the system to be simulated. The targeted oil injection rate in the cold start simulation procedure is from about 10 to about 40 grams/hour, preferably from about 28 to about 30 grams/hour.

After the burner is lit, oil injection at the targeted oil injection rate is continued for about 20 seconds or more, preferably for about 22 seconds, while a fuel rich mode is simulated. Thereafter, oil injection is halted.

The burner is lit after the initial, relatively cool oil injection sequence of several seconds. The burner preferably is programmed into a fuel rich mode. A fuel rich mode generally comprises an AFR of 12.5:1 or more, preferably 13.75:1. After the burner is lit, oil injection is continued for about 20 seconds or more, preferably 22 seconds. Thereafter, oil injection is halted and the fuel rich mode is permitted to continue for a period of time effective to prevent excess build-up of unburned oil on the face of the catalyst. The fuel rich mode generally is continued for a period of time of about 20 seconds or more, preferably for about 60 seconds.

During cold start simulations, the spark igniters are activated after the initial “cold” injection of raw lubricating oil is complete. The computer can be programmed to assure proper ignition time substantially immediately after the initial oil injection flow of from about 2 to about 15 seconds, preferably about 4 seconds. Once lit, the burner 60 and the fuel injector 16 work together to provide substantially continuous and effective stoichiometric combustion.

Other Tests

The NEBECRAS also may be used to perform other tests using alterative fuel(s). Such tests generally comprise:

-   -   (a) varying one or more operating condition selected from the         group consisting of temperature, time interval between changes         in temperature, air-fuel ratio, and combinations thereof; and,     -   (b) varying one or more other conditions while maintaining         substantially constant one or more operating conditions selected         from the group consisting of temperature, air-fuel ratio, and         combinations thereof.         The following is a specific description of a number of tests         falling in categories (a) and (b). The description is         illustrative only, and should not be construed as limiting the         claims to preferred embodiments:     -   a) Varying an operating condition selected from the group         consisting of temperature, time interval between changes in         temperature, air-fuel ratio, and a combination thereof:

Tests in category (a) include, but are not necessarily limited to design verification tests, including durability tests. Such tests may comprise one or more different parameter compared to accelerated aging and drive cycle testing. Examples of a “different parameter” include, but are not necessarily limited to parameters selected from the group consisting of reduced maximum temperature, shorter intervals between temperature cycles, enhanced magnitude temperature cycling, multiple repetitions of the foregoing types of cycling, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the reduced maximum temperature is 850° C. or less, preferably 500° C. or less.

Specific examples of tests in category (a) include, but are not necessarily limited to shell deformation testing, temperature profile testing, thermal cycling, light-off testing, and air-fuel ratio sweeps. The foregoing tests are described in more detail below:

Shell Deformation Testing

A catalytic converter generally is constructed such that a catalyst carrier is encased within a shell. The monolithic catalyst carrier generally is formed of ceramic, which is brittle and tends to be readily damaged. In order to prevent damage, the catalyst generally is elastically supported within the shell.

The present application provides a method for evaluating the tendency of the shell to expand, generally called shell deformation tests, using a non-engine based test system operated using one or more alternative fuel(s). In a shell deformation test, a catalytic converter (330 in FIG. 1) comprising a container in fluid communication with the hot exhaust gas generated by the NEBECRAS, preferably a FOCAS® rig, is exposed to several heat-up and cool-down periods. In other words, the alternate stress conditions comprise exposing the component to exhaust gas at a first temperature for a first period of time and exposing the component to exhaust gas at a second temperature for a second period of time. The first temperature is sufficiently different than the second temperature to evaluate the dynamic and permanent response of the component (preferably comprising a catalytic converter and shell) to the first and second temperature.

Temperature Profile Testing

Temperature profile testing entails exposing the component(s) to high-temperature (steady-state) step increases, preferably under steady AFR and flow rate conditions, in order to acquire internal (catalyst) and external (can surface) thermal gradient information. The alternate conditions generally comprise incrementally increasing the temperature of the exhaust product to produce the thermal gradient conditions, although the temperature also may be incrementally decreased. In other words, the catalytic converter is exposed to exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust at a first temperature for a first period of time, then at a second temperature for a second period of time, then at a third temperature for a third period of time, and so on. The component is evaluated using known methods to determine the external and internal impact of exposure to the resulting thermal gradient.

Thermal Cycling

The present application also uses a NEBECRAS to generate exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust for thermal cycling tests.

Thermal cycling severely stresses the test component by rapidly and repeatedly changing the test component temperature. The test component, preferably a catalytic converter, is exposed to exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust at a first temperature for a first period of time, and then at a second temperature for a second period of time, and so forth. The first temperature and the second temperature are sufficiently different to thermally stress the component.

Thermal cycling also tests the durability of a monolithic catalyst when exposed to exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust. Conventional ceramic monolithic catalysts generally consist of a ceramic support with a coating upon which the catalyst is actually deposited. In order to obtain substantial density and strength, the ceramic material normally must be fired at a high temperature. Such high-temperature firing necessarily sinters the ceramic material, producing a very small surface area. Consequently, the ceramic must be coated with another material having a higher surface area, as well as specific chemical characteristics required for deposit of the catalyst. The high surface area coating or “washcoat” and the underlying ceramic material generally have different thermal expansion coefficients. When the component is exposed to the foregoing thermal cycling, the high surface area coating may tend to flake off of the underlying ceramic support.

Air-Fuel Ratio Sweeps

The application provides a method in which a NEBECRAS is used as the exhaust gas generator and heat source during air-fuel ratio sweeps using alternative fuel(s). In order to assess catalytic conversion at different AFR's, exhaust components are measured while the AFR is adjusted from lean to rich (or vice versa). In stepped AFR sweep tests, each AFR is maintained until steady-state operation is achieved. In continuous AFR sweep tests, AFR is continuously adjusted at a predetermined rate.

-   -   (b) Varying one or more other conditions while maintaining         substantially constant one or more operating conditions selected         from the group consisting of temperature, air-fuel ratio, and         combinations thereof;

Tests in category (b) typically are durability tests, which evaluate the physical integrity of the component(s) exposed to exhaust gas produced using alternative fuel(s). In such tests, the alternate conditions generally comprise heat, via the exhaust gas, and comprise additional stress conditions other than thermal stress. Examples of additional stress conditions include, but are not necessarily limited to, exposure to liquid, exposure to vibration, exposure to acceleration or acceleration force, change in component orientation, repetitive exposure to any of the foregoing, and combinations thereof. Hot vibration testing and quench testing are exemplary, and are described in more detail below:

Hot Vibration Testing

In hot vibration testing, the FOCAS® rig or other NEBECRAS is substituted for a gasoline engine or other heating apparatus in a known hot vibration testing rig, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,729, incorporated herein by reference. Referring to FIG. 2, the exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust generated by the NEBECRAS 300 fluidly communicates with the test fixture 320 via plumbing 310. The apparatus is in mechanical communication with a vibration generator 330, preferably via a slip joint 340. The component(s) 330 are placed in the test fixture 320 in mechanical communication with the vibration generator 330, preferably a vibration table, which fluidly communicates 310 with the hot exhaust gas generated by the NEBECRAS, preferably a FOCAS® rig. In a preferred embodiment, the test component(s) are fastened to a shaker table which is sealingly engaged with exhaust gas plumbing 310 via a slip joint 340. The shaker table and/or fixtures appended thereto are adapted to provide vertical, horizontal, and angled component orientations. The component(s) are subjected to extended periods of exposure to vibration and steady-state or transient hot exhaust gas flow.

In a preferred embodiment, the component is fixed to a shaker table and exposed to exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust. The vibration table is activated to vibrate at a predetermined vibration frequency and amplitude, and the acceleration of the component is determined by a detector in rigid attachment to the component (not shown). The amplitudes of the excitation energy simulate the range of motion that the component would encounter on an actual vehicle. The input amplitudes of the applied vibration may be increased to accelerate test severity, and the frequency distribution of the vibration may be set to match exhaust system vibration conditions for a particular motor vehicle or for particular vehicle operating conditions.

The forces transferred across the component are detected by a load cell and collected and analyzed as testing progresses. In general, the forces transmitted to the component during each test will decrease over time in approximate proportion to the number of vibration cycles to which the component is exposed.

The vibration generator may have any suitable structure. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,434; U.S. Patent Application Publication 20040025608, incorporated herein by reference.

Water Quench Testing

Water quench testing simulates conditions when the catalytic converter of a vehicle is exposed to water as, for example, when the vehicle drives through a puddle or a flooded area. In water quench tests, the component is exposed to exhaust product comprising alternative fuel exhaust at relatively constant temperature, but the component surface is rapidly cooled with water. The water may be fresh or saltwater, and may comprise contaminants.

The rig used to perform water quench tests will include a liquid feed member in fluid communication with a source of liquid and with the test component surface, preferably a catalytic converter surface. The liquid feed member is activated during the test to expose the surface to the water, either a single time or repeatedly. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid feed member, preferably a nozzle or manifold apparatus, is effective to spray the surface of the component with water. The component is then evaluated using known methods to assess the impact of the surface cooling on the component.

As seen above, preferred alternate conditions include, but are not necessarily limited to repetitive heating and cooling periods, stepwise temperature increases, rapid changing of temperature, exposure to external water, sweep tests using gradually increased air to fuel ratios, and combinations thereof.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. The embodiment described herein is meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the application, which is defined in the claims. 

1. A method for testing one or more test components comprising: providing a non-engine based test system comprising a combustor in fluid communication with the one or more test components; supplying air and fuel to the combustor at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and under feed conditions effective to produce a feedstream flowpath, wherein the fuel comprises one or more alternative fuel which is gaseous at ambient conditions comprising atmospheric pressure and a temperature of about 20° C. or higher, the supplying air and fuel comprising feeding the one or more alternative fuel to a pressure regulator to produce one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel and feeding the one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel to the combustor; combusting at least a portion of fuel in the feedstream flowpath under combustion conditions effective to produce an exhaust product comprising one or more alternative fuel exhaust; and, exposing the one or more test components to the exhaust product under test conditions effective to produce one or more treated components.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising substantially continuously and effectively stoichiometrically combusting fuel to produce the fuel exhaust product.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more test components comprise catalytic converter(s).
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the one or more components comprise catalytic converter(s).
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the test conditions comprise creating one or more thermal excursions during the combustion comprising: using an AFR effective to generate about 3 percent carbon monoxide; and injecting secondary air to create about 3% oxygen in the exhaust before exposing the one or more components to the exhaust product.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the test conditions comprise creating one or more thermal excursions during the combustion comprising: using an AFR effective to generate about 3 percent carbon monoxide; and injecting secondary air to create about 3% oxygen in the exhaust before exposing the one or more components to the exhaust product.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising injecting lubricant into the feedstream flowpath.
 8. The method of claim 3 wherein the test conditions comprise: subjecting the catalytic converter(s) to a sufficient number of simulated cold start cycles to simulate the effect of cold start aging by said exhaust product on the catalytic converter(s), the simulated cold start cycles comprising: exposing the catalytic converter(s) at an initial temperature sufficiently low to simulate cold start to a flow of atomized lubricating oil suspended in air at a flow rate for a first flow time effective to simulate the flow of lubricating oil to the catalytic converter(s) upon cold start of an engine; activating the combustor under conditions effective to simulate rich warm up mode, the activating occurring while continuing the flow of lubricating oil at the flow rate for second flow time; halting the flow of lubricating oil; and maintaining the conditions effective to simulate rich warm up mode for a period of time effective to prevent excess build-up of unburned oil on the face of catalyst in the catalytic converter(s), thereby producing cold start aged catalytic converter(s); and evaluating the efficiency of the cold start aged catalytic converter(s).
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the initial temperature is 100° C. or less; the flow rate of the lubricating oil is from about 10 to about 40 grams/hour; the first flow time is from about 2 seconds to about 15 seconds; the second flow time is about 20 seconds or more; and, the conditions effective to simulate rich warm up mode comprise an air:fuel ratio (AFR) of from about 9:1 to about 14:1.
 10. The method of claim 10 wherein the period of time is about 20 seconds or more.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising cooling the catalytic converter(s) to the initial temperature.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the cooling comprises blowing air onto the catalytic converter(s) at an initial air flow rate of 40 SCFM or more.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the sufficient number of simulated cold start cycles is from about 35,000 to about 40,000 cycles.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the test conditions are accelerated aging conditions.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the accelerated aging conditions comprise first closed loop stoichiometric conditions comprising a catalyst inlet temperature of about 800° C. for a first closed loop time; first open-loop, fuel rich conditions effective to simulate a thermal excursion for a first open-loop, fuel rich time; second open-loop, fuel rich conditions comprising secondary air flow for a second open-loop, fuel rich time; and, second closed-loop stoichiometric conditions comprising the secondary air for a second closed loop time.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first closed loop time is about 40 seconds; the first open-loop, fuel rich conditions comprise about 3% CO and the first open-loop, fuel rich time is about 6 seconds; the second open-loop, fuel rich conditions comprise about 3% CO and the second open-loop, fuel rich time is about 10 seconds; and, the second closed loop time is about 4 seconds.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the alternate conditions are drive cycle conditions comprising: varying exhaust flow rate from about 0 to about 200 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm); varying exhaust gas temperature from about 20° C. to about 900° C.; and, varying exhaust gas stoichiometry from about 10 to about 40 AFR.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the varying the exhaust gas stoichiometry is from about 10 to about 20 AFR.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the test conditions are selected from the group consisting of vibration conditions, temperature profiling conditions, thermal stress conditions, quench conditions, light off conditions, and air-fuel ratio sweep conditions.
 20. A method for testing one or more test components comprising: providing a non-engine based test system comprising a combustor in fluid communication with the one or more test components; supplying air and fuel to the combustor at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and under feed conditions effective to produce a feedstream flowpath, wherein the fuel comprises one or more alternative fuel selected from the group consisting of natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, refinery gas, butane, natural gas liquid(s) (NGL), and renewable fuels, the supplying air and fuel comprising feeding the one or more alternative fuel to one or more pressure regulator(s) to produce one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel and feeding the one or more pressure regulated alternative fuel to the combustor; combusting at least a portion of fuel in the feedstream flowpath under combustion conditions effective to produce an exhaust product comprising one or more alternative fuel exhaust; and, exposing the component to the exhaust product under test conditions effective to produce one or more treated components.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the one or more alternative fuel is selected from the group consisting of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquified natural gas (LNG), and compressed natural gas (CNG).
 22. The method of claim 20 further comprising substantially continuously and effectively stoichiometrically combusting the fuel to produce the exhaust product.
 23. The method of claim 21 further comprising substantially continuously and effectively stoichiometrically combusting the fuel to produce the exhaust product.
 24. The method of claim 20 wherein the one or more test components comprise a catalytic converter.
 25. The method of claim 21 wherein the one or more test components comprise a catalytic converter.
 26. The method of claim 22 wherein the one or more test components comprise a catalytic converter.
 27. The method of claim 23 wherein the one or more test components comprise a catalytic converter.
 28. The method of claim 26 wherein the test conditions comprise creating one or more thermal excursions during the combustion comprising: using an AFR effective to generate about 3 percent carbon monoxide; and injecting secondary air to create about 3% oxygen in the exhaust before exposing the one or more test components to the exhaust product.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the test conditions comprise creating one or more thermal excursions during the combustion comprising: using an AFR effective to generate about 3 percent carbon monoxide; and injecting secondary air to create about 3% oxygen in the exhaust before exposing the one or more test components to the exhaust product.
 30. The method of claim 20 further comprising injecting lubricant into the feedstream flowpath.
 31. The method of claim 24 wherein the test conditions comprise: subjecting the catalytic converter(s) to a sufficient number of simulated cold start cycles to simulate the effect of cold start aging using said exhaust product on the catalytic converter(s), the simulated cold start cycles comprising: exposing the catalytic converter(s) at an initial temperature sufficiently low to simulate cold start to a flow of atomized lubricating oil suspended in air at a flow rate for a first flow time effective to simulate the flow of lubricating oil to the catalytic converter(s) upon cold start of an engine; activating the combustor under conditions effective to simulate rich warm up mode, the activating occurring while continuing the flow of lubricating oil at the flow rate for second flow time; halting the flow of lubricating oil; and maintaining the conditions effective to simulate rich warm up mode for a period of time effective to prevent excess build-up of unburned oil on the face of catalyst in the catalytic converter(s), thereby producing one or more cold start aged catalytic converter(s); and evaluating the efficiency of the one or more cold start aged catalytic converter(s).
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the period of time is about 20 seconds or more; the initial temperature is 100° C. or less; the flow rate of the lubricating oil is from about 10 to about 40 grams/hour; the first flow time is from about 2 seconds to about 15 seconds; the second flow time is about 20 seconds or more; and, the conditions effective to simulate rich warm up mode comprise an air:fuel ratio (AFR) of from about 9:1 to about 14:1.
 33. The method of claim 32 further comprising blowing air onto the catalytic converter at an initial air flow rate of 40 SCFM until the catalytic converter comprises the initial temperature.
 34. The method of claim 32 wherein the sufficient number of simulated cold start cycles is from about 35,000 to about 40,000 cycles.
 35. The method of claim 24 wherein the test conditions are accelerated aging conditions.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the accelerated aging conditions comprise first closed loop stoichiometric conditions comprising a catalyst inlet temperature of about 800° C. for a first closed loop time; first open-loop, fuel rich conditions effective to simulate a thermal excursion for a first open-loop, fuel rich time; second open-loop, fuel rich conditions comprising secondary air flow for a second open-loop, fuel rich time; and, second closed-loop stoichiometric conditions comprising the secondary air for a second closed loop time.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the first closed loop time is about 40 seconds; the first open-loop, fuel rich conditions comprise about 3% CO and the first open-loop, fuel rich time is about 6 seconds; the second open-loop, fuel rich conditions comprise about 3% CO and the second open-loop, fuel rich time is about 10 seconds; and, the second closed loop time is about 4 seconds.
 38. The method of claim 26 wherein the alternate conditions are drive cycle conditions comprising: varying exhaust flow rate from about 0 to about 200 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm); varying exhaust gas temperature from about 20° C. to about 900° C.; and, varying exhaust gas stoichiometry from about 10 to about 40 AFR.
 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the varying the exhaust gas stoichiometry is from about 10 to about 20 AFR.
 40. The method of claim 20 wherein the test conditions are selected from the group consisting of vibration conditions, temperature profiling conditions, thermal stress conditions, quench conditions, light off conditions, and air-fuel ratio sweep conditions.
 41. The method of claim 24 wherein the test conditions comprise exposing the catalytic converter to the exhaust gas and to vibration conditions effective to simulate the range of motion of the catalytic converter in a vehicle.
 42. The method of claim 41 wherein the exposing the catalytic converter to the exhaust gas and to vibration conditions comprises: fixing the catalytic converter to a vibration table in mechanical communication with a load cell; activating the vibration table to vibrate at a predetermined vibration frequency and amplitude; and, measuring forces transferred across the catalytic converter.
 43. The method of claim 42 wherein the feed conditions are effective to produce an air and fuel mixing feedstream and to substantially continuously and effectively stoichiometrically combust fuel in the feedstream to produce the exhaust product.
 44. The method of claim 24 wherein the test conditions comprise maintaining the feed conditions substantially constant while exposing the catalytic converter comprising a monolithic catalyst encased in a shell to the exhaust gas product under temperature profiling conditions comprising exposing the catalytic converter to a first temperature for a first period of time and exposing the catalytic converter to a second temperature for a second period of time, the first temperature being sufficiently different than the second temperature to evaluate the dynamic and permanent response of the monolithic catalyst and the shell to the first temperature and the second temperature under the test conditions.
 45. The method of claim 44 wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, the method further comprising exposing the catalytic converter to the exhaust gas at one or more subsequent temperature(s) for subsequent period(s) of time, each consecutive subsequent temperature being greater than the previous temperature, under conditions effective to produce thermal gradient information for evaluating the monolithic catalyst and the shell.
 46. The method of claim 44 wherein the feed conditions are effective to produce an air and fuel mixing feedstream and to substantially continuously and effectively stoichiometrically combust fuel in the feedstream to produce the exhaust product.
 47. The method of claim 24 comprising maintaining the feed conditions substantially constant while exposing the catalytic converter comprising a monolithic catalyst encased in a shell to the exhaust gas under thermal stress conditions comprising exposing the catalytic converter to a first temperature for a first period of time and exposing the catalytic converter to a second temperature for a second period of time, the first temperature being sufficiently different than the second temperature and the first period of time and the second period of time have a duration sufficiently short to thermally stress the catalytic converter.
 48. The method of claim 47 further comprising exposing the catalytic converter to the exhaust gas at one or more subsequent temperatures for one or more subsequent periods of time, the one or more subsequent temperatures having a sufficient differential and the subsequent periods of time having a duration sufficiently short to thermally stress the monolithic catalyst and the shell.
 49. The method of claim 47 wherein the feed conditions are effective to produce an air and fuel mixing feedstream and to substantially continuously and effectively stoichiometrically combust fuel in the feedstream to produce the exhaust product.
 50. The method of claim 24 wherein the test conditions comprise maintaining the exhaust gas at a substantially constant temperature and exposing the catalytic converter shell to water.
 51. The method of claim 50 wherein the feed conditions are effective to produce an air and fuel mixing feedstream and to substantially continuously and effectively stoichiometrically combust fuel in the feedstream to produce the exhaust product.
 52. The method of claim 24 wherein the test conditions comprise: measuring exhaust components while exposing the catalytic converter to exhaust gas produced at an initial AFR; changing the initial AFR to one or more different test AFRs and measuring exhaust components while exposing the catalytic converter to exhaust gas produced at the one or more different test AFRs.
 53. The method of claim 52 wherein the initial AFR and the one or more different test AFRs are maintained until steady state operation is achieved.
 54. The method of claim 52 wherein the one or more different test AFRs are continuously adjusted at a predetermined rate.
 55. A test system comprising a non-engine based combustor in fluid communication with a fuel supplier, an air supplier, and a test component, the fuel supplier comprising one or more pressurized fuel container in fluid communication with one or more pressure regulator in fluid communication with the combustor.
 56. The test system of claim 55 wherein the combustor is adapted to combust fuel from the fuel supplier to produce an exhaust product simulating that produced by an internal combustion engine burning the same fuel, said fluid communication exposing the test component to the exhaust product.
 57. The test system of claim 55 wherein said combustor is adapted to provide substantially continuous and effective stoichiometric combustion of a fuel feedstream to produce an exhaust product.
 58. The test system of claim 56 wherein said combustor is adapted to provide substantially continuous and effective stoichiometric combustion of a fuel feedstream to produce an exhaust product.
 59. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 55 wherein the pressurized fuel container is adapted to retain alternative fuel at a pressure of from about 2400 to about 3600 psi.
 60. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 59 wherein the pressure regulator is adapted to reduce pressure of alternative fuel to about 70 psi or less.
 61. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 56 wherein the pressurized fuel container is adapted to retain alternative fuel at a pressure of from about 2400 to about 3600 psi.
 62. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 61 wherein the pressure regulator is adapted to reduce pressure of alternative fuel to about 70 psi or less.
 63. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 57 wherein the pressurized fuel container is adapted to retain alternative fuel at a pressure of from about 2400 to about 3600 psi.
 64. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 63 wherein the pressure regulator is adapted to reduce pressure of alternative fuel to about 70 psi or less.
 65. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 58 wherein the pressurized fuel container is adapted to retain alternative fuel at a pressure of from about 2400 to about 3600 psi.
 66. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 65 wherein the pressure regulator is adapted to reduce pressure of alternative fuel to about 70 psi or less.
 67. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 55 wherein the pressure regulator fluidly communicates with a reduced pressure fuel line which fluidly communicates with a liquid fuel line in fluid communication with the combustor.
 68. The non-engine based exhaust component test system of claim 56 wherein the pressure regulator fluidly communicates with a reduced pressure fuel line which fluidly communicates with a liquid fuel line in fluid communication with the combustor.
 69. The non-engine based exhaust component of claim 57 wherein the liquid fuel line comprises a fuel pump, and the reduced pressure fuel line fluidly communicates with the liquid fuel line downstream of the fuel pump.
 70. The non-engine based exhaust component of claim 58 wherein the liquid fuel line comprises a fuel pump, and the reduced pressure fuel line fluidly communication with the liquid fuel line downstream of the fuel pump.
 71. The non-engine based exhaust component of claim 59 wherein the liquid fuel line comprises a fuel pump, and the reduced pressure fuel line fluidly communication with the liquid fuel line downstream of the fuel pump.
 72. The non-engine based exhaust component of claim 60 wherein the liquid fuel line comprises a fuel pump, and the reduced pressure fuel line fluidly communication with the liquid fuel line downstream of the fuel pump.
 73. The non-engine based exhaust component of claim 64 wherein the liquid fuel line comprises a fuel pump, and the reduced pressure fuel line fluidly communication with the liquid fuel line downstream of the fuel pump.
 74. The non-engine based exhaust component of claim 65 wherein the liquid fuel line comprises a fuel pump, and the reduced pressure fuel line fluidly communication with the liquid fuel line downstream of the fuel pump. 